Most recent test results: Tested anthracite (stove size) coal today with surprising results again. Travelled 6.5 miles. Subtracting out coal used to build steam initially, I was using about 4 lbs of coal per mile. See this as compared to earlier tests. Hardwood ~ 6.0 lbs per mile Bituminous (Pocahon...

I'm hoping that what is in the top of that bucket is the remains of the fire, i.e. what was left on top of the grate, not what was underneath. If that was from underneath then the grate is wrong, too few bars, or too wide apart, or possibly both. Good, well burnt coal should leave only fine ash whi...

OK. Just completed 2nd test using coal (bituminous, was told it came the the "Pocahontas" area but don't think so). VERY INTERESTING RESULTS! Summary so far: As mentioned in previous posts, testing on my boat revealed that a 3 day, 90 mile, 6 hrs per day at 5 mph trip using hardwood would burn appro...

We recently did a 44 mile one day trip in a 23' fairly fine lined, but heavy, launch built in 1899, with a 3" + 5" x 3" twin (Leak design, more or less) compound working mostly at around 150 psi and 60% cut-off. Coal (best Welsh steam coal) consumption for the day was a bit over one 25kg bag, say 3...

"How does my fuel usage per mile sound compared to others on this site with a similar hull?" 200 pound per day with a sleek EB23 and Strath Warrago 3 x 4, sounds about right. With the heavy tug and 3 x 4 twin, I use close to 400 pounds per day, roughly half of a face cord. Hull speed has a large ef...

I just completed my first fuel economy test. It was only 5.2 miles in length due to strong thunderstorms in the area. I started with a cold boiler, used softwood kindling to start the fire and then approximately 7 lbs of hardwood to get to 50 lbs of steam. I then traveled approx 5,2 miles at 60 to 8...

New to steamboating. Just purchased a 17 year old boat: Elliott Bay Hull, Strath Engine, Benson Mtn Boiler. All works well. Goal is to sometime transit the entire length of the Erie Canal, 340 miles. Will probably do it in stages; 3 - 4 days at a time and will need to carry that much fuel on board.....

I'm a newbie with a brand new (to me) boat purchased yesterday. 23' Elliott Bay, Strath Engine and Benson Mountain boiler 15 years old. Trying to search on coal information but most of the search terms I use don't work. I get the following message: "The following words in your search query were igno...

Hi Centurion, Welcome (maybe) to the wonderful world of steamboating. I had a Benson Mountain boiler of the same specifications you describe. Mine was also built and installed in 1999. I had no issues with the boiler, it is very free steaming, clean burning and relatively low height which helps a l...

I've been interested in hobby steamboats for quite a while and finally have an opportunity to purchase a turn-key steam launch that would work for me. I am very comfortable with the hull, the motor, the expertise of the seller and his setup. The only grey area as far as my research is concerned is k...